Military AviationA forum for the professionals who fly military hardware. Also for the backroom boys and girls who support the flying and maintain the equipment, and without whom nothing would ever leave the ground. All armies, navies and air forces of the world equally welcome here.

Incidentally you mention the fact that they are currently swing mounted, which is quite correct for medals of this period. I often see older groups which have been remounted court style and to me it just looks wrong, so I hope that doesn't happen to these, whoever does them

Court mounting is to ensure they don't clink together at funerals. Each medal is stitched to the backboard.

I have been involved in medal mounting for many years so I do know the rationale behind court mounting, and how it is done. Medals on larger groups need to be overlapped to avoid them becoming ridiculously wide (think Kenny Everett's US general), but a group of four like Colonel Tom's should be mounted side by side, thus there is little risk of the medals being damaged by clinking together, at funerals or anywhere else. My point was that until the late 20th century it was normal practice for medals to be mounted swing style, so to see a WW2 vintage group court mounted just looks wrong to me. Nothing to stop retired individuals mounting their medals according to their own tastes, but I do prefer to see the old style.

My late Father had the 39/45 Star, France and Germany Star, War Medal, Defence Medal and the Air Efficiency award (with 2 bars). He had them swing mounted right up until he got his MBE, at which point they were Court Mounted.

I always had my medals court mounted - unfortunately, when I received my Iraq medal and had it mounted, because it has an attached clasp it does not sit flat with the Afghanistan medal next to it - the two together are just too wide to fit properly on the ribbon.. As a result, it has been left loose to hang over the other medals. Not a good look, and now wish that they had been swing mounted.

I have been involved in medal mounting for many years so I do know the rationale behind court mounting, and how it is done. Medals on larger groups need to be overlapped to avoid them becoming ridiculously wide (think Kenny Everett's US general), but a group of four like Colonel Tom's should be mounted side by side, thus there is little risk of the medals being damaged by clinking together, at funerals or anywhere else. My point was that until the late 20th century it was normal practice for medals to be mounted swing style, so to see a WW2 vintage group court mounted just looks wrong to me. Nothing to stop retired individuals mounting their medals according to their own tastes, but I do prefer to see the old style.

UK Ribbons are 4-wide, then a new row, medals are 5-wide, than start overlapping. Check out this fella!!!!

Although a lot of his RHS are foreign and gizzits, you CANNOT accuse him of being a Walt due the the Far Left Aussie VC!!!!WO Keith Payne

They may not be officially authorised, but he still earned evey one of them!

I always had my medals court mounted - unfortunately, when I received my Iraq medal and had it mounted, because it has an attached clasp it does not sit flat with the Afghanistan medal next to it - the two together are just too wide to fit properly on the ribbon.. As a result, it has been left loose to hang over the other medals. Not a good look, and now wish that they had been swing mounted.

Mine clash similarly (mini's less so as the clasp has been raised up the ribbon). Consider getting some duplicates, it's your choice as to which set you get court or swing mounted, it'll only make a difference to your dependents after your demise.... (2 sets, one engraved, one not) Prob under £100. But as long as you can document the provenence of them, then both sets add value!

Freemen of the City of London have the privilege of driving their sheep across London Bridge; not sure about bayonets though? A Freeman is privileged to carry an unsheathed sword, maybe unclenelli mixed up that tradition: but the one no one really wants is to be hanged with silk instead of a knotted rope!

According to the BBC department of leaks it is Congratulations to Capt Tom Moore on your well deserved Knighthood. However, I am still of the mindset that Captain Eric Winkle Brown also deserved a very well earned Knighthood. (And thats from an ex Crab as well!). it just goes to show the power of publicity. Gone but not forgotten. Just saying.